Twelve intrepid campers spent mornings learning about fire behavior, fire building and wildfire mitigation practices at FireCamp during July. YMCA Camp Orkila provided the backdrop and the campers enjoyed fire experiments, field trips and hands-on experience. Each day they completed a simulated pack test, similar to that given to qualify wildland firefighters. The session also included field trips: a visit to the local volunteer fire department, a boat ride to an outlying island and a campout during which they heard Native American stories about fire.

The camp was held in Washington as a collaboration involving Firewise Communities , Washington State University Master Gardeners and the YMCA. Camper evaluations indicated the session was successful, and plans are now underway to formalize the curriculum and make it available in other fire-prone parts of the country, both as a one-week and a two-week experience.

Labels: day camp, wildfire mitigation